Toronto crowd gets its elbows up in show of solidarity against U.S. tariffs, annexation threats

CBC News

· Posted: Mar 22, 2025 6:09 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 infinitesimal ago

Torontonians rubbed elbows with a fewer Canadian celebrities in Nathan Phillips Square Saturday day to propulsion backmost against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and annexation threats.

Part of the grassroots "Elbows Up, Canada!" campaign, Saturday's rally was billed arsenic a "peaceful amusement of unity, resilience and strength," astatine a clip erstwhile Trump is making threats against Canada's sovereignty and slapping tariffs connected Canadian goods. 

Fittingly, chants of "elbows up!" echoed done the crowd respective times as organizers and homegrown personage speakers took the stage.

The hockey phrase — which originated with the legendary subordinate Gordie Howe — became a nationalist rallying outcry this period aft comedian Mike Myers, who grew up successful Scarborough, mouthed the words connected Saturday Night Live while wearing a "Canada is not for sale" T-shirt. T

The March 1 occurrence aired conscionable days earlier the U.S. slapped 25 per cent tariffs connected Canadian goods. Most of those tariffs were subsequently paused until April 2. 

WATCH | Mike Myers inspires Canadian rally outcry connected SNL:

Saturday's gathering successful Toronto was the 2nd "Elbows Up" rally successful Ontario this period aft astir 1,000 radical rallied astatine Parliament Hill a fewer weeks ago.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow was invited to speak, on with celebrated Canadians similar Dragons' Den prima and concern person Arlene Dickinson, comedian Shaun Majumder and Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy, who performed his caller commercialized war-inspired song, We Used to beryllium the Best of Friends.

WATCH | Jim Cuddy pens opus inspired by rift successful Canada-U.S. relations: 

Majumder, who'd been surviving successful California for astir 20 years, told CBC News up of the rally that helium "could not person picked a amended clip successful Canadian past to repatriate backmost to this country."

Although this is lone the 2nd authoritative "Elbows Up" rally, Majumder said the thought is gaining steam crossed the country.

"Every clip I station thing astir an 'Elbows Up' happening that's happening, radical are like, 'Come to our city, travel to our town, we privation this to hap crossed the country.'" Majumder said. 

WATCH | Over 1,000 Canadians stitchery astatine Parliament Hill for "Elbows Up" rally: 

Co-organizer Peter Wall says helium and different volunteers started "Elbows Up, Canada!" arsenic a mode to bring Canadians unneurotic and nonstop a peaceful message.

"We're each benignant of feeling thing close present arsenic a country," Wall said. "The connection is truly that Canada is worthy lasting up for." 

But for the American government, Wall said the rallies clasp a antithetic message: "We're neighbours, we're friends, but we don't privation to get married."

Organizers privation to support the rallies a non-partisan solemnisation of Canadian pride, Wall said. Provincial oregon national politicians aren't invited to speak, though each are invited to attend.

But with a caller premier curate successful bureau and a national predetermination looming, galore attendees told CBC Toronto that authorities were apical of mind.

Sources archer CBC News a national predetermination is expected to beryllium called for April 28.